The cruise in Europe was supposed to be synonymous with happiness for an American couple from Colorado (United States), but the situation quickly took a turn for the worse. A few days into the trip last September, the 64-year-old fell seriously ill after being infected with a virus. Since then, he has been hospitalized in Denmark and his family is desperately trying to repatriate him to the United States, reports The Independentrelaying the American television channel KDVR.
The couple originally came to spend 14 days in the waters of Northern Europe to celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. Less than a week after boarding, the 60-year-old started feeling unwell. If his first symptoms were reminiscent of the flu, other illnesses were added to the diagnosis, according to his daughter’s testimony.
Victim of cardiac arrest
“They discovered he had influenza A, pneumonia and sepsis, which turned into a supervirus in his body and started attacking his major organs,” she explains. According to the young woman, he then suffered a cardiac arrest, brain damage and breathing difficulties.
Now on respiratory assistance, the man would no longer be fully conscious. However, his condition would allow him to fly, which is why his family wants to bring him home. But this medical repatriation comes at a significant cost: 150,000 dollars, or nearly 137,000 euros. “It’s actually a plane that has all the necessary medical equipment to help him if something were to happen,” explains the couple’s daughter.
To raise this sum, the family opened an online fundraiser via the GoFundMe site. “We are a normal family and we try not to ask anything from anyone, but unfortunately we have to bring our father home,” she concludes. As of Wednesday, more than $84,000 had already been raised.
